Next 2015 Pants WITH REDFISH Adventure - Go West (not so) Young Man!

[Redfish Hunter]

As usual 'Zilla and Ross both make some good points. And, like I posted in Ross' thread, sometimes you HAVE to make reservations ahead of time and that requires some form of A Plan.

The key to a Motorcycle Trip Plan is to make it loose enough and flexible enough that it does not suck the fun out of the trip. A good plan will take some stress out of the trip while still allowing the excitement of "not knowing". You do not have to make reservations for every place you want to stay, you can wing it between the spots that require it. But you have to leave yourself more than enough time to enjoy yourself.

I hate to do this to you but... I am calling you out on this one. Sorry.

Don't you have a credit card? Do you have to have the cash in hand for the ENTIRE trip? You have most of the cash, why not just let the credit card eat up the rest? You say you don't like to have A Plan because you enjoy "Not Knowing" where you will end up. Well, what is the damned difference between that and "Not Knowing" how much you are going to owe at the end?

I think that if I had just purchased what is arguably the best looking FJR ever built, what is positively one of the finest Coast to Coast capable Sport Touring motorcycles ever built and I was wanting to take An Epic Bike Trip, a little money would not be my stumbling block. Get some balls about yourself, make the plans and Just Go!

Rant over... You still need to sit with me in this house, in front of this computer so we can discuss this trip. Pop and I are going somewhere in September. It is highly possible that we could coordinate with you for some of this which could alleviate your loneliness and possibly help with costs. Possibly. Also, your RRs have given you enough popularity on this forum that you may find some FJR friends along the way. I would sure make it a point to see 'Zilla if I were you. I may be able to do that if it is just me and Pop this year. Of course, we may go East instead...

 

[HotRodZilla]

Sometimes I think RFH's pretty wife hijacks his account and says something smart.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Sometimes I think RFH's pretty wife hijacks his account and says something smart.

...also checking to see if he called her a whale again...

RFH's wife is damn smart...except for choosing a husband.

Of course I can also say that about my own wife.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Sometimes I think RFH's pretty wife hijacks his account and says something smart.

First of all my wife is only pretty if you like walruses. Hairy backed walruses. Yuck.

Second, I am not sure that my hairy backed walrus of a wife can actually read or type. She seems to do okay with food labels in grocery stores and restaurant menus but other than that, not so good.

The poor thing is about to find out that she is having guests for supper tomorrow night. My friend Mr. Hppants is supposed to come over. He may be coming to kick my butt, or he may be coming to discuss his trip. Either way, I owe him supper.

I will call that a win.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

So it begins...

Mr. 'Pants spent a few hours at Mrs. Redfish's house and we both learned a few things. Mrs. Redfish made me grill steaks for our friend. I arranged a ride in a very nice '68 Camaro. We flipped through paper maps, calendars, and filled the computer screen with Google Maps. We discussed motels/tents/cabins, we discussed riding speeds, and we talked about campfire cooking.

We still have not decided a damned thing.

However... There is a very good chance that Pop and I will be seeing some of Utah in a couple of months. And for the first time, I may be following instead of leading.

To be continued...

 

[RossKean]

DO IT!

 

[hppants]

BTW - if any of you get the chance to take a ride in a '68 Camaro SS with a 500 hp motor, a close ratio 4-speed, and an owner that is not afraid to use it, by all means don't pass that up. When about 5K rpm hits those flowmasters, and your tail bone is significantly closer to the back of the seat than it was a few seconds ago, if that doesn't give you goose bumps and a warm fuzzy feeling all over, then check your pulse. For just a few minutes, I was back in the day. A surreal experience to be sure.

As for RFH - at least one mystery has been solved. I know realize how he is able to maintain his curvy figure. I'll be running 3-5 miles on the treadmill today trying to burn off that side of beef he served me yesterday. What can I say? I'm weak - I didn't want to waste that food....

I'm re-inspired about the trip - looking forward to continuing the discussion.

 

[hppants]

Realistically, what are the chances that we are going to either get stuck in snow, or have to run away from it as late as September 30?

(Bryce Canyon, Grand Junction - Durango area, etc)

I'm not looking for a crystal ball. I'm just wondering is, for example, those places are usually getting snow at the end of September, rarely, never, etc...

 

[Tyler]

Bryce Canyon - see chart toward the bottom... I'm guessing CO would also be cold and chances of snow...

 

[hppants]

Thanks for the link, Tyler. I kind of figured that Bryce Canyon could be "iffy". I can ride around it if need be.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I may have screwed this whole deal up for 'Pants. I have a mandatory training class on Sept. 15th. Either we push it back or we re-figure. If he has to, 'Pants is quite capable of taking off without me. I sure was/am looking forward to a dual perspective Ride Report. We will see.

 

[hppants]

So we've pushed back the departure date until September 16th. I've told the office to not expect me before October 5. I'm leaving with a couple of Redfish, likely coming home by myself. Itinerary details will be forthcoming. I'm hoping to see some of you along the way.

I hope we catch the Aspen trees turning, and avoid snow.

 

[Tyler]

So we've pushed back the departure date until September 16th. I've told the office to not expect me before October 5. I'm leaving with a couple of Redfish, likely coming home by myself. Itinerary details will be forthcoming. I'm hoping to see some of you along the way.
I hope we catch the Aspen trees turning, and avoid snow.

Bummer... was hoping to meet you at EOM... Redfish too... hope you have a most excellent adventure... we'll be watching! B)

 

[bigjohnsd]

Certainly can expect to see some "white stuff" at elevation that late in September.

You thin blooded boys better be packing some heated gear if you plan on riding the Rockies!

 

[hppants]

Yeah John, I am concerned about that. I do have a heated jacket liner and now heated grips. No snow chains on my T-30s though. This will be like the Arkansas trip in March - bring the entire house and plan for anything from 20s to 90 degrees.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Pop and I do not have heated gear and I have some concerns over that. I am thinking we will be fine in Utah but for the return through Colorado, I am a bit concerned. I hope to make this a group ride of 3 for the first several days at least. That will help 'pants with expenses and also give us all a good time. We may stay together for the duration but that will depend on many factors.

Pop and I want to see most of the same things that 'Pants wants to see so that is the first hurdle. We want this one to be a win/win/win for all of us. Pop and I probably will not choose to do the same hikes that 'Pants will do in Zion so that will allow us the fun of traveling together but not be joined at the hip.

The only real negative to this trip is that we will not be doing EOM and that was one of the goals I had set for myself this year. I really want to meet more of the folks from this community. (Except for 'Zilla. I don't like 'Zilla.

) Of course, we may be able to meet a few FJR folks along the way anyway.

One thing I really hope for is the pictures. Can you folks imagine how good the pics of those three FJRs together will be?

 

[wheatonFJR]

One thing I really hope for is the pictures. Can you folks imagine how good the pics of those three FJRs together will be?

Of the BIKES...yes.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

When a couple of my buddies and I took a trip up the West coast this spring we formed a loose itinerary. We would plan out where we would end up the next day after we arrived at our destination each day. Get in, look over what we wanted to see the next day, take into consideration the weather, make reservations for the next day, then execute the plan when we got up.

It keeps the trip very fluid while still giving you certainty of where you will be sleeping each night.

 

[Tyler]

The only real negative to this trip is that we will not be doing EOM and that was one of the goals I had set for myself this year. I really want to meet more of the folks from this community. (Except for 'Zilla. I don't like 'Zilla.

) Of course, we may be able to meet a few FJR folks along the way anyway.

Jeez, I go all the way out there to meet you guys and you run the other way... I'm starting to get a complex.

P.S. Invest in the heated gear... you won't regret it. B)

 

[Redfish Hunter]

The only real negative to this trip is that we will not be doing EOM and that was one of the goals I had set for myself this year. I really want to meet more of the folks from this community. (Except for 'Zilla. I don't like 'Zilla.

) Of course, we may be able to meet a few FJR folks along the way anyway.

Jeez, I go all the way out there to meet you guys and you run the other way... I'm starting to get a complex.

P.S. Invest in the heated gear... you won't regret it.

You can believe this one or not, YOU are on top of my list of folks I wish to meet.

It may be that I will wind up on your coast in a vehicle doing a family vacation. It would sure be easier to explain things to Mrs. Redfish if she were with me. Can you picture this discussion?

Me: "Darling, I am going to ride my motorcycle to California to visit Tyler."

Her: "Who is Tyler?"

Me: "Well, Miss Tyler is..."

Her: "Miss Tyler?"

Me: "Uhhh..."